Antique Master Print-CRIES OF LONDON-SELLING MATCHES-HAWKER-Cardon-Wheatley-1820

This plate shows a woman hawker selling matches in 18th century London.

Made by Antoine-Alexandre-Joseph Cardon after Francis Wheatley.

Medium: Stipple engraving coloured on the plate (a-la-pouppee). on wove paper.

Sheet size: 38 x 50 cm (14.96 x 19.69 inch). Image size: 31 x 41 cm. (12.2 x 16.14 inch).

Condition: good, given age. General age-related toning and/or occasional minor defects from handling. Please study scan carefully.

CRIES OF LONDON-SELLING MATCHES-HAWKER | DP-A2-001-15

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Original antique print after a painting by Francis Wheatley from a series of 12 plates. This plate was originally published by Colnaghi & Co., London, 1793-1797. This print published later by W.C.L. in London. Wheatley exhibited his series of oil paintings entitled the Cries of London at the Royal Academy between 1792 and 1795. He created these sublime images of street sellers that are now the works upon which his reputation rests. Born in Covent Garden in 1747, Wheatley was ideally qualified to portray these hawkers because he grew up amongst them and their cries, echoing in the streets around the market. However, these pictures are far from social reportage as we understand it, and you may notice a certain similarity between many of the women portrayed in these pictures, for whom it is believed Mrs Wheatley herself a painter and exhibitor at the Royal Academ was the model. Artists and Engravers: This plate engraved by Cardon after Wheatley.

Biography engraver: Antoine-Alexandre-Joseph Cardon (1739-1822), also known as Cardon the elder to distinguish him from his son Anthony Cardon, was a Belgian painter, portraitist and engraver. He was a highly enthusiastic member of Freemasonry.

Biography artist: Francis Wheatley (1747 – 1801), English painter.